Success in athletics takes more than just showing up to a competition and competing. There is a lot of preparation involved and Anabelle Miller says that you have to be willing to do it if you want to reach your goals.

“Being successful in sports take a lot of hard work and commitment to getting better,” she said. “Practice, hours in the gym, conditioning, both during the season and especially in the offseason. The biggest motivation for me to keep working hard is my family and my teammates. I want to make them proud.”

Miller is a sophomore at Enid High School where she is a member of the basketball and track teams. She is also involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Historical Black Union, and the National Honor Society. She also plays summer basketball with the Enid Lady Elite.

Throughout her life, there have been many people that have had an impact on Anabelle’s life and helped shape her into the person she is today.

“My biggest influence is my Grandma Debbie,” she said. “Before she passed, she always encouraged me and shared her love for the game. And of course my parents and siblings, they are my biggest cheerleaders. Out of all of my teachers, my third grade teacher, Mrs. Hensy was probably the most influential.”

The teammates that she competes alongside is a group of people that Miller is thankful to be a part of.

“The teammate I like to compete against in practice is Gracie Combrink,” she said. “We push each other and it makes us both better. If I had to name  the least appreciated player, I would say our bench. Not all of them get in the game and they don’t get the recognition, but they help the team get better and prepare each day for our next opponent.  They are our sixth man.”

There have been many memories made throughout her career, but Anabelle has one that she says stands out as her favorite.

“The game against Sand Springs was a big one,” she said. “It challenged us and we came together as a team and got a district win.”